e15 Customizable Kashan Sofa by Philipp Mainzer

Furniture designer and architect Philipp Mainzer is a creative force who draws on multiculturalism, warm design and art to inspire his trendsetting pieces. Establishing one of the most celebrated German design brands, e15, Mainzer creates furnishings for the modern era, with a traditional touch.

Born in Germany in 1969, Mainzer later studied in London, majoring in product design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and architecture at the Architectural Association. In 1995, while training to become an architect, Mainzer had what he calls “a gut feeling” to produce furniture to counter the cold, aluminum and glass materials popular at the time, but with a similar minimalist style. e15 was born, named after the postal code of its first workshop.

In addition to serving as the creative and managing director of e15, Mainzer travels extensively with his wife to Iran, where he finds inspiration for his designs. As demonstrated in his tables that are informed by Iranian tea culture, Mainzer manages to blend international culture with his German roots. Working in the tradition of German furniture makers, Mainzer follows form with function and emphasizes the quality of materials like solid wood and marble.

Mainzer practices architecture in New York through his firm, Philipp Mainzer Office for Architecture and Design. He is a member of the executive committee of the German Design Council and gives lectures on a host of topics, including architecture, design and branding. 

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Philipp Mainzer side tables, seating, storage case pieces and more.

While renowned furniture company e15 was named for the London postcode district where it opened its first workshop in 1995, the now Frankfurt-based brand has grown to become one of the most celebrated German manufacturers and a premium option for modern, solid-wood furniture across much of Europe.

In 1995, German-born architect and designer Philipp Mainzer founded e15 with Farah Ebrahimi, who currently serves as the company’s head designer and art director. After majoring in product design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and architecture at the Architectural Association, Mainzer had what he has called “a gut feeling” to produce wooden furniture to counter the cold aluminum and glass structures that were popular at the time. E15 became a vessel for Mainzer to explore contemporary design with a somewhat minimalist profile and to highlight the natural characteristics of quality materials, especially oak, as seen in Mainzer’s Backen­zahn stool.

Setting e15 apart is its unrelenting passion for sustainability. Many of e15’s talented collaborators pride themselves on this philosophy, including British architect David Chipperfield, German industrial designer Stefan Diez and Danish architect and interior designer David Thulstrup. 

Many of the company’s designs have earned awards and have been exhibited extensively in Germany, such as Chipperfield’s Leighton coffee table at the 2016 IMM Cologne furniture show. Mainzer and Ebrahimi won two prizes for separate modular sofas: the SHIRAZ sofa received the 2008 Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany and the KERMAN took home the gold for Interior Innovation in 2017. Select e15 pieces can also be found in museum collections worldwide. 

On 1stDibs, find e15 tables, seating and storage case pieces.